Notables from All Lands Pour into Israel for Anniversary Celebration

A virtually continuous stream of prominent statesmen, public figures and scientists from all countries of the world are pouring into Israel in advance of Independence Day, which will be marked Thursday throughout Israel and Jewish communities across the globe. Tourists and guests come in on every plane that touches down at Lydda and every ship which docks at Haifa.

Heading the list of VIP’s to arrive today was Vincent Auriol, ex-President of France, accompanied by Mme, Auriol. They were luncheon guests of honor of President Izaak Ben Zip and will spend two weeks in Israel. Other guests included Premier David Ben Guion and members of his Cabinet.

Other guests who flew in today included: Canadian Minister of Posts William Hamilton, who will remain for a week’s stay; Henry F. Jensen, Mayor of Sydney, Australia, who plans to remain ten days: Dr. Selma Waksman, American Nobel Prize winner and discoverer of streptomycin, who will receive an honorary doctorate from the Hebrew University, and Prof. F. Ferren, head of the French atomic energy commission. Fifteen members of the West German Parliament also arrived.

The Premier yesterday played host to 150 Americans active in the United Jewish Appeal and the Israel bond drive in various cities. In the evening he received Dr. and Mrs. Abba Hillel Silver, who this morning called on President Ben Zip.

One unusual group of tourists who came to this country today for a two-week visit, was composed of 138 American servicemen and members of their families who were flown here from Germany, where the army men are stationed, in chartered planes. The first visitors of their kind, the servicemen will be guests at many official and private receptions.

Meanwhile, the cinema theater owners association has announced that it will lift its strike for one day on Independence Day and will give free shows for the benefit of the public. Then it will resume its strike against high government taxes which, the owners claim, have cut deeply into their business. The Finance Ministry, meanwhile, has announced it will not enter into negotiations with the movie theater owners.